MTN Mast Kills Man At His Child's Dedication

The christening ceremony of a baby turned sour, on Saturday morning, at Okwagbe community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, when a telecommunication mast, belonging to one of the major telecommunication service providers (MTN), collapsed and  killed the

father of the baby.

 Scores of the congregation sustained varying degrees of injuries including the baby, it was gathered.

The deceased, a member of St. Lazarus Christ Church, was at the church with his family members and scores of church members who had gathered to rejoice with him when the tragedy occurred.

The church’s Sabbath mass was said to be on when an early morning downpour suddenly brought the mast crashing on the church building, leaving the baby’s father.

The deceased, Prince Ogbodobiri, 36, Sunday Tribune gathered, had two wives with six children.

Sources said Ogbodobiri hailed from  Okrika community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta state.

It was gathered that the injured worshippers had been taken to different hospitals in the state for medical attention.

An eyewitness told newsmen at the Otu-Jeremi General Hospital after the tragedy that: “It was so sudden and violent. The mast came down hard on the crowded church and a portion fell directly on the man who died instantly.

“The baby for dedication was right in his hands at that moment, but survived with injuries like over 50 other affected victims who have been rushed for medical attention.”

Another respondent, Austin Ozobo, said that the crumbled mast instantly buried the late Ogbodobiri, adding that it took the efforts of church members and sympathisers to bring out the body.

According to him, “The contractor who installed the mast did a very shoddy job. When it was raining, the mast couldn’t withstand the force of the breeze and fell on the church, killing the man who was dedicating his child.”

The body of the deceased has been deposited at the mortuary of the Jeremi General Hospital.

The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Celestina Kalu, however, confirmed the incident.

“Following the stormy rain, the MTN mast erected at Okwagbe Inland collapsed on St. Lazarus Christ Church building, killing one person in the process. The corpse of the young man has been taken to the Otu-Jeremi General Hospital for autopsy. Others have been taken to yet unknown hospitals for treatment. Effort to contact MTN officials is on”, Kalu said in a statement.